Figure ornament

ABSTRACT

A figure ornament and method of making same which utilizes a thin, sheet material body having a longitudinally oriented solid center section which extends through the body dividing the body into a right side lobe and a left side lobe. Both the right side lobe and the left side lobe include a mass of thin slits. The center section is then folded upon itself forming a compact stack with the right side lobe and the left side lobe flaring outwardly from the compact stack defining an ornamental figure shape. There is then to be used an adhesive or clip for securing the compact stack so as to maintain the compact stack in its established position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The field of this invention relates to decorative q ornaments andmore particularly to a figure ornament that is to be used as a bow ingift wrapping of packages, holiday ornaments, artificial flowers,decorative displays and other similar types of sages.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Decorative ornaments for use in gift wrapping packages are wellknown. Reference is to be had to the present inventor's own U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,609,928 and 6,042,903. Also, reference is to be had to theinventor's own prior patent application Ser. No. 09/544,056 filed Apr.6, 2000. The subject matter of the present invention is directed to afigure ornament and method of making same which is distinctly differentfrom the aforementioned patents and patent application.

[0005] In the field of decorative bows, holiday ornaments, and so forth,there is always a need to construct a new and different configuration ofsuch. Consumers are always looking for “the unusual”. Therefore, it isthe intent of the subject patent application to describe a figureornament and method of making same which is different from all knownprior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A first embodiment of figure ornament which utilizes a sheetmaterial body which has a longitudinally oriented solid center sectionlocated between a right side lobe and a left side lobe. The right sidelobe includes a plurality of first slits, and the left side lobeincludes a plurality of second slits with both of the first slits andthe second slits located transverse to the center section. The centersection is then folded upon itself forming a compact stack which locatesthe right side lobe and the left side lobe flaring outwardly therefromdefining an ornamental figure shape. There is then utilized some type ofdevice for securing the compact stack so as to maintain the position ofthe compact stack.

[0007] A further embodiment of this invention which is in addition tothe first embodiment where the center section is formed as a thin strip.

[0008] A still further embodiment of this invention is in addition tothe first embodiment which locates the center section which divides thebody in half to also make the left side lobe approximately the same sizeas the right side lobe.

[0009] In yet a still further embodiment of this invention, the firstembodiment in modified no that the right side lobe is identical butreversed from the left side lobe.

[0010] In yet a further embodiment of this invention, the firstembodiment is modified so that the first slits are located parallel toeach other and the second slits are located parallel to each other.

[0011] In still a further embodiment of this invention, the firstembodiment is modified so that the first slits are located in a skewedrelationship to the second slits.

[0012] In yet a still further embodiment of this invention, the firstembodiment is modified so that the folding of the center section isaccomplished in an accordion fold.

[0013] In a still further embodiment of this invention, the firstembodiment is modified so that the means for securing comprises anadhesive.

[0014] In yet a still further embodiment of this invention, the firstembodiment is modified so that the means for securing comprises a clip.

[0015] In yet a further embodiment of this invention, the firstembodiment is modified so that each first slit is of the same length asthe second slit which are in direct transverse alignment.

[0016] A still further embodiment of this invention, the firstembodiment is modified by each first slit being at a first acute anglerelative to the center section and each second slit is at a second acuteangle relative to the center section with the first acute angle beingequal to the second acute angle.

[0017] A second embodiment of this invention is directed to the methodof making a figure ornament by forming of a thin, sheet material of apreselected shape and then cutting of this body into a mass of thinslits while permitting the body to maintain a solid center sectionessentially dividing the body into two parts. This center section isthen folded upon itself to form a compact stack. A securement is thenutilized to maintain the compact stack in its established position. Thetwo parts are then flared outwardly from the compact stack forming aspecific ornamental figure configuration.

[0018] A further embodiment of this invention modifies the secondembodiment with the thin slit of one part being located parallel to eachother and the thin slits of the other part also being located parallelto each other.

[0019] In still a further embodiment of this invention, the secondembodiment is modified to where the two parts are located of equal size.

[0020] In a still further embodiment of this invention, the secondembodiment is modified by the folding of the center section beingaccomplished in an accordion manner.

[0021] In a still further embodiment of this invention, the secondembodiment is modified by the securing being accomplished by means of anadhesive.

[0022] In a still further embodiment of this invention, the secondembodiment is modified by the securing being accomplished by means of aclip.

[0023] In a still further embodiment of this invention, the secondembodiment is modified by the step of cutting including a series offirst slits within one part and a series of second slits within theother part with the first slits being skewed relative to the secondslits.

[0024] In a further embodiment of this invention, the directlypreviously described embodiment is modified so that each first slit isof the same length as the second slit with which it is in directtransverse alignment.

[0025] In a still further embodiment of this invention, the justdescribed embodiment is modified so that each first slit is located atan acute angle relative to the center section with each second slitbeing located at an acute angle relative to the center section withthese acute angles being equal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] For a better understanding of the present invention, reference isto be made to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that thepresent invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in thedrawings.

[0027]FIG. 1 is a top plan view showing the body of the figure ornamentof the present invention in its expanded state with this figure ornamentto eventually resemble a butterfly;

[0028]FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the addition ofadhesive on the solid center section of the body and s the addition of arelease liner over the adhesive;

[0029]FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the centersection of the butterfly configuration figure ornament of this inventionshowing more clearly the covering of the adhesive on the center sectionand the fact that there is a cover section to be located on both sidesof the center section;

[0030]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view depicting the accordion foldingof the center section of the butterfly configuration ornament of FIGS. 1and 2;

[0031]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 but where thecenter section is now completely folded into a compact stack and showingthe possible inclusion of a clip to be connected to the compact stack tomaintain the compact stack in its established position;

[0032]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the resultingly formed butterflyfigure ornament;

[0033]FIG. 7 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 2 but of a modified formof figure with that figure being defined as a heart;

[0034]FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the heart shaped figureornament in the completely constructed state;

[0035]FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but of a differentconfiguration of body which is to be utilized to produce an angel shapedfigure ornament;

[0036]FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the completely constructed angelshaped figure ornament;

[0037]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view through line 11-11 of FIG. 10;and

[0038]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view through the compact stack thatis formed in conjunction with the angel shaped figure ornament takenalong line 12-12 of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] Referring particularly to FIGS. 1-6 of the drawings, there isshown the first embodiment 20 of figure ornament of this invention. Thefirst embodiment 20, noting particularly FIG. 6, is in the shape of abutterfly. In order to produce the finished ornament shown in FIG. 6,there is utilized a body 22 composed of a thin, sheet material. Typicalmaterial for the body 22 will be a flexible plastic, polyester,polypropylene, including blown polypropylene material, vinyl, paper orlaminates thereof such as combining polyester and paper. The materialcan be tinted, printed, metalized, embossed, holographic and may includeother similar processes. The thickness of the body 22 would normally bebetween one-half mil to ten mil.

[0040] Body 22 has a longitudinal solid center section 24. The centersection 24 extends the entire length of the body 22. The body 22 isdivided on opposite sides of the center section 22 between a right sidelobe 26 and a left side lobe 28. It is to be noted that the size of theright side lobe 26 is approximately equal in size to the left side lobe28. However, it is considered to be within the scope of this inventionthat it is not necessary that the lobes 26 and 28 be precisely the samesize. The right side lobe 26 is then deemed to be the lobe of the body22 that is located on one side of the longitudinal center axis 30 whichextends centrally through the center section 24. On the opposite side ofthe longitudinal center section 30 is located the left side lobe 28. Thecenter axis 30 need not be through the center of the body 22.

[0041] The right side lobe 26 is defined by an upper lobe 32 and a lowerlobe 34. In a similar manner, the left side lobe 28 is defined by anupper lobe 36 and a lower lobe 38. It is to be noted that the right sidelobe 26 is identical but reversed to the left side lobe 28. If the rightside lobe 26 was folded and placed in juxtaposition with the left sidelobe 28, the right side lobe 26 would precisely cover the left side lobe28. However, again, this precise size relationship need not be followed.Actually, the lobes 26 and 28 could be entirely different shapes.

[0042] Formed within the right side lobe 26 are a plurality of parallel,evenly spaced apart, straight slits 40 although the slits 40 do not haveto be evenly spaced apart nor parallel. In a similar manner, the leftside lobe 28 has a plurality of parallel, evenly spaces apart, straightslits 42 again which do not have to be evenly spaced apart nor parallel.Also, it is not mandatory that the slits 40 and 42 be straight lines. Itis to be noted that the slits 40 are in the same pattern and the samelength arrangement as the slits 42 only in the reverse direction. It isto be noted that the slits 40 are oblique and are located at an acuteangle B relative to the longitudinal center axis 30. It is also to benoted that the slits 42 are oblique and are located in an acute angle Arelative to the longitudinal center axis 30. In the embodiment shown,angle A is equal to angle B. The slits 40 and 42 are actually so thinthat for all practical purposes when the body 22 is laid flat, as inFIG. 1, it would appear that the body 22 is solid. The figures of thedrawings show the slits 40 and 42 to be exaggerated. However, openingsbetween directly adjacent slits 40 and 42 could be provided if desiredLocated between each directly adjacent pair of slits 40 and between eachdirectly adjacent pair of slits 42 is a thin strip 44 of material. Thethin strips 44 are solid but readily deflectable. The strips 44 are eachabout one-eighth of an inch wide but can be narrower or wider withoutdeparting from the scope of this invention.

[0043] It is to be noted that the slits 40 and 42 are locatedessentially transversely relative to the center section 24. The slits 40and 42 could be cuts or slices or could actually comprise narrow areasof removed material.

[0044] On each side of the center section 24 throughout the entirelongitudinal length, there is applied a coating of adhesive 46. Thisadhesive 46 need not be utilized. In order to protect the adhesive 46prior to usage, it is desirable that both sides of the center section 24be covered by a release liner 48. It is to be understood that there aretwo in number of such release liners 48. Referring to the drawing, it isreadily apparent the view in FIG. 1 shows the body 22 prior to theapplication of the adhesive 46 and the release liners 48. The view inFIG. 2 shows the body 22 with the adhesive 46 applied and the releaseliners 48 covering the adhesive 46.

[0045] The upper lobe 32 resembles a triangle shape except the upperlobe 32 is actually a four sided figure with the fourth side being sideedge 50 which abuts against lower lobe 34. The same is true for upperlobe 36 which has a side edge 52 which abuts against lower lobe 38. Theupper lobe 32 also has a scalloped outer edge 54. Upper lobe 36 also hasa similar scalloped outer edge 56. Scalloping of the edges 54 and 56 isonly for design purposes. The lower lobe 34 has an outer semi-circularedge 58 with the lower lobe 38 having a similar semi-circular edge 60.The upper lobes 32 and 36 are designed to essentially replicate the forewings of a butterfly. The lower lobes 34 and 29 are designed toreplicate the lobed hind wings of a butterfly. Note particularly FIG. 6for this replication.

[0046] Referring particularly to FIGS. 4 and 5, it needs to be seen thatthe center section 24 is folded over upon itself into an accordion fold.This accordion folding of the center section 24 is to occur until thecenter section 24 now assumes a compact stack 62. The adhesive 46 willfunction to hold the compact stack 62 together. However, a U-shaped clip64 (C-shaped or any other operable configuration) can also be insertedabout the compact stack 62 to hold such in the stacked relationship.Instead of adhesive or a clip, there could be used other forms ofsecurement such as a sonic weld, a metal staple or a tie. When thecenter section 24 is in the stacked relationship forming the compactstack 62, the upper lobes 32 and 36 and the lower lobes 34 and 38automatically assume a three dimensional butterfly resembling position,as shown in FIG. 6.

[0047] It is to be noted that the scalloped outer edges 54 and 56 andthe semi-circular edges 58 and 60 are located at a border of about oneeighth to one-half inch in width. This means that the slits 40 and 42terminate short of the outer edges 54, 56, 58 and 60. The use of theseborders is required in order to have the body 22 to assume a fixed shapewhen constructed in the shape of a butterfly as shown in FIG. 6. It isto be understood that the borders are not necessarily of a constantwidth and could be wider or narrower without departing from the scope ofthis invention. The combination of accordion folding forming compactstack 62, slits 40 and 42 and the use of the borders is what makes themanufactured flat pattern shown in FIG. 1 to be movable into athree-dimensional article. Referring particularly to FIGS. 7 and 8,there is shown a second embodiment which is a heart configuration 66 offigure ornament of this invention. The heart configuration 66 is formedof a thin, sheet material body 68 which is constructed of the samematerial as body 22. The body 68 includes a longitudinal center section70 which is essentially similar to center section 24. The center section70 includes on each side thereof an adhesive strip 72. Normally coveringadhesive strips 72 prior to assemblage is a release liner 74 with itbeing understood there are two in number of the release liners 74located on opposite sides of the body 68. On one side of the centersection 70, there is a right side lobe 76. On the opposite side of thecenter section 70 is a left side lobe 78. Included within the right sidelobe 76 are a plurality of first slits 80. Included within the left sidelobe 78 are a plurality of second slits 82. The slits 80 and 82 areessentially similar to previously described slits 40 and 42.

[0048] It is to be noted that the slits 80 and 82 are not locatedparallel but resemble a sun ray type of pattern. When the center section70 is folded in a manner that was previously described in relation toFIGS. 4 and 5, and a clip 84 installed on the compact stack that is thusformed, the heart configuration 66 is thus achieved. It is noted thatthe right side lobe 76 will overlap a small part of the left side lobe78 at the tip 86. It will normally be desired to attach the tips 86 ofboth the right side lobe 76 and the left side lobe 78 in some manner.Typically, this is done by a spot of adhesive, which is not shown.

[0049] Referring particularly to FIGS. 9-12 of the drawings, there isshown a third embodiment which is an angel configuration 88 of figureornament of this invention, The angel configuration 88 includes a body90. The body 90 is constructed of thin, sheet material which was used inthe construction of the body 22. The body 90 includes a right side lobe92 and a left side lobe 94. The right side lobe 92 includes an upperlobe 96 and a lower lobe 98. Similarly, the left side lobe 94 includesan upper lobe 100 and a lower lobe 102, The upper lobe 96 extends toside edge 104 which is the start of the lower lobe 98. In a similarmanner, the upper lobe 100 extends to side edge 106 which is the startof the lower lobe 102.

[0050] The upper lobe 96 includes a scalloped outer edge 108 with theupper lobe 100 including a scalloped outer edge 110. The lower lobe 98includes a straight outer edge 112 and the lower lobe 102 includes asimilar straight outer edge 114. It is to be understood that edges 108,110, 112 and 114 could be any configuration and need not be scalloped orstraight. It is to be understood that the outer edges 108, 110, 112 and114 are all located at solid borders so as to provide rigidity to theangel configuration 88 that is resultingly formed.

[0051] The body 90 includes a center section 116 each side of which iscovered with an adhesive strip 118. Each adhesive strip 118 is to becovered with a release liner 120.

[0052] The center section 116 is to be accordion folded in a mannersimilar to previously described in relation to FIGS. 4 and 5 producing acompact stack 122. This compact stack may have mounted thereabout aU-shaped clip 124. This clip 124 can be covered by a thin disc 126 whichcould be of solid material and may be of the same material as the body90. However, the disc 126 will not include the slits 128 and 130 whichare formed respectively in the right side lobe 92 and left side lobe 94.When the compact stack 122 is formed, the angel configuration 88 resultswith the lower lobe 98 overlapping the lower lobe 102. It will normallybe desired to include an adhesive 134 between the lower lobes 98 and 102in order to secure together the lower lobes 98 and 102 so that such willfunction as a single unit when in the angel configuration of FIGS.10-12. The disc 126 is to be secured by an adhesive 134 to the outersurface of the clip 124. The disc 126 and clip 124 could be manufacturedas a single unit.

[0053] Although there are three different configurations of the figureornament of this invention being shown, it is considered to be withinthe scope of this invention that numerous other configurations could beutilized. For example, the inventors intend to manufacture snowflake andstar configurations which will be constructed in essentially the samemanner. The snowflake and star configurations will have a series ofdifferent sizes and location of slits plus a series of cut-outs whichpermit the forming of three dimensional shapes.

[0054] Each of embodiments 20, 66 and 88, as well as any similarembodiment which falls within the scope this invention, could bemanufactured as a “pull-bow”. A pull-bow includes a manually pullablemember which when pulled will cause the embodiment to take shape from aflat configuration. The use of pull-bows is well known and is mostdesirable because of the minimum space that the flat configurationoccupies which minimizes shipping space and display space prior tousage.

[0055] The present invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, andaccordingly, reference should be made to the appending claims ratherthan the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A figure ornament comprising: a sheet materialbody having a longitudinal oriented solid center section located betweena right side lobe and a left side lobe, said right side lobe having aplurality of first slits, said left side lobe having a plurality ofsecond slits, both said first slits and said second slits being locatedtransverse to said center section; said center section being folded uponitself forming a compact stack with said right side lobe and said leftside lobe flaring outwardly from said compact stack defining a threedimensional ornamental figure shape; and means for securing said compactstack so as to be maintained in the position of said compact stack. 2.The figure ornament as defined in claim 1 wherein: said center sectioncomprising a thin strip.
 3. The figure ornament as defined in claim 1wherein: said center section splitting said body in half.
 4. The figureornament as defined in claim 1 wherein: said right lobe being identicalin shape but in reverse to said left side lobe.
 5. The figure ornamentas defined in claim 1 wherein: said first slits being parallel, saidsecond slits being parallel.
 6. The figure ornament as defined in claim1 wherein; said first slits being skewed relative to said second slits.7. The figure ornament as defined in claim 1 wherein: said centersection being folded upon itself in an accordion manner.
 8. The figureornament as defined in claim 1 wherein: said means for securingcomprising adhesive.
 9. The figure ornament as defined in claim 1wherein: said means for securing comprising a clip.
 10. The figureornament as defined in claim 1 wherein: each said first slit, which isin direct transverse alignment with a said second slit, being of thesame length.
 11. The figure ornament as defined in claim 1 wherein: eachsaid first slit being at a first acute angle relative to said centersection, each said second slit being at a second acute angle relative tosaid center section, said first acute angle being equal to said secondacute angle.
 12. The method of making a figure ornament comprising:forming a thin, sheet material body of a preselected shape; cutting saidbody into a mass of thin slits while permitting said body to maintain asolid center section essentially dividing said body into two lobes;folding said center section upon itself to form a compact stack;securing said compact stack so said compact stack will remain in itsestablished shape; and whereby said two lobes are flared outwardly fromsaid compact stack forming a specific three dimensional ornamentalfigure configuration.
 13. The method as defined in claim 12 wherein inthe step of cutting includes forming said thin slits parallel to eachother.
 14. The method as defined in claim 12 wherein in the step ofcutting includes dividing said body into two equal lobes.
 15. The methodas defined in claim 12 wherein the folding step includes folding in anaccordion manner said center section.
 16. The method as defined in claim12 wherein the step of securing is accomplished by means of an adhesive.17. The method as defined in claim 12 wherein the step of securing isaccomplished by means of a clip.
 18. The method as defined in claim 12wherein the step of cutting includes forming a series of first slitswithin one said lobe and a series of second slits within another saidlobe, said first slits being skewed relative to said second slits. 19.The method as defined in claim 18 wherein the step cutting furtherincludes forming each said first slit, which is in direct transversealignment with a said second slit, to be of the same length.
 20. Themethod as defined in claim 18 wherein the step of cutting includesforming each said first slit at a first acute angle relative to saidcenter section and each said second slit at a second acute anglerelative to said center section with said first acute angle being equalto said second acute angle.